Long-Term Unemployed to be Given Jobs as Council Workers

A NEW scheme to put long-term unemployed to work as council workers is being planned by the Government. Up to 3,000 people on the dole for more than two years will be put to work at street cleaning, cutting grass and carrying out road works. The Cabinet will hold a meeting today where a wide range of initiatives to create jobs will be discussed. 

Environment Minister Phil Hogan and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton are working on the council work scheme. Up to 2,000 of the jobs will come on line by mid-year with another 1,000 by the end of the year. The posts won't replace existing jobs or displace staff but is aimed at giving local authorities additional resources.

Although the exact details have yet to be worked out, the scheme is expected to work in a similar manner to the Jobs Bridge scheme. It is not yet clear how many hours a week workers will work for or if they will be paid extra on top of their dole. Ministers will discuss measures that are expected to be included in the new version of the Action Plan for Jobs for 2013. Every minister will have to outline to Taoiseach Enda Kenny what they have in the pipeline to create jobs and what they need done in their sector to encourage job creation. Jobs Minister Richard Bruton is due to publish the next version of the jobs plans next year. The Action Plan for Jobs is the

Source: Independent.ie - Long-Term Unemployed to be Given Jobs as Council Workers

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